ALUMNI MAGAZINE Fall 2017 | Page 30

INAUGURAL TRAUMA CONFERENCE HOSTED BY PSYCHOLOGY ALUMNI

USIU-Africa Psychology alumni organized a Pre-Election Anxiety and Trauma Conference on Saturday, July 15 at the auditorium. The conference which was attended by about 150 alumni and other psychology professionals aimed at managing anxiety and trauma ahead of the Kenyan General Elections held on August 8.

A panel of experts comprising of Dr. Joseph Nasongo (Commissioner, National Cohesion and Integration Commission), Major (Rtd.)Wairimu Mukuria (for Kenya Defense Forces military psychologist), Sandra Twinomugisha (Founder, Kaitesi Psychology Services), Arthur Muriuki (Director of Clinical Services,

The Deputy Vice Chancellor - Academic Affairs Ambassador Prof. Ruthie Rono (front row, second left) poses for a photo with the speakers and guests of the Pre-Election Anxiety and Trauma Conference held on Saturday, July 15 in the auditorium.

Brain Initiative) and Dr. Oscar Githua (Assistant Professor of Psychology, School of Humanities & Social Sciences) came together to talk about complex trauma and historical injustices, surviving and coping after trauma, impact of armed violence, perpetrators and disciplined forces as well as the history and trajectory of psychological responses to traumatic events in Kenya.

In his keynote address titledHow politically-themed statements can lead to anxiety in individuals”, Dr. Nasongo admitted that tension was high in the country a fact he attributed to hate speech and provocative statements being posted across social media platforms.

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